Study: Android accounted for 97% of mobile malware in 2013

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A joint study by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI revealed that 79% of mobile malware attacks were directed at Android in 2012. Now, according to the H2 2013 Threat Report from security firm F-Secure, Android’s lion’s share of mobile malware has grown to 97% in 2013.

According to the report, Android malware rose from 238 threats in 2012 to 804 threats made up of new families and variants of malware in 2013. Most of the threats came from outside the U.S., with 75% of malware detections originating in Saudi Arabia and India. Only 5% of the malware affected U.S. devices.

The report also stated that while the majority of malware infected devices via third-party app stores, the Google Play Store itself accounted for only 0.1% of Android malware. In the Android markets worst affected by mobile malware attacks, the Google Play Store is either limited or not yet supported.

“The Play Store is most likely to promptly remove nefarious applications, so malware encountered there tends to have a short shelf life,” the report said.

About Rob Marvin

Rob Marvin has covered the software development and technology industry as Online & Social Media Editor at SD Times since July 2013. He is a 2013 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with dual degrees in Magazine Journalism and Psychology. Rob enjoys writing about everything from features, entertainment, news and culture to his current work covering the software development industry. Reach him on Twitter at @rjmarvin1.